Wonder Woman 'is the ultimate symbol of strength,' Israeli actress tells Fashion magazine. 'Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd play someone who influenced as many women as she has.'

Ynet|Published: 07.08.15 , 13:30

The movie "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" will only come out in eight and a half months (on March 25, 2016), but its PR campaign is already in full swing, led by Gal Gadot - the Israeli actress and model who is about to debut as Wonder Woman alongside Henry Cavill (Superman) and Ben Affleck (Batman).

The 30-year-old Israeli will be at Comic Con in San Diego next week alongside her two co-stars and director Zack Snyder, but she's already been taking to the press about the upcoming movie. Among other things, she discussed how her IDF service helped prepare her for the role of Wonder Woman.

"The army wasn’t that difficult for me. The military gave me good training for Hollywood," she told Fashion magazine.

Gadot stars as Wonder Woman in Batman vs. Superman

The magazine drew a parallel between Gadot, who served as a fitness trainer in the IDF, and Israeli top model Bar Refaeli, who dodged army service, and was quoted as saying "I don't regret not enlisting, because it paid off big time. That's just the way it is: celebrities have other needs. I hope my case has influenced the army."

After her role in "Fast & Furious," Gadot is now ready to put on the tiny Wonder Woman suit and appear in next year's Batman vs. Superman film. In 2017, she will reprise her role as Wonder Woman in a movie dedicated to the heroine's story.

"She is the ultimate symbol of strength," Gadot said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd grow up to be in a movie playing someone who influenced as many women as she has."

Gadot told the magazine that nowadays, modern women face challenges that don't necessarily have to do with physical strength.

"Nowadays being a woman is hard, because we have to be the best wife, best mother, best worker, best everything!" said Gadot. "But I truly believe we are more empowered… we're also stronger, sophisticated and can achieve what we want. That's what I would like my daughter to know."